TV is Just Too Damn Good

The worst kind of people in the world are the ones who tell you “I don’t own a TV.” If you ever run into these people, kick them in the shin as hard as you can. They’re bad people. The worst. It doesn’t make any sense, why would you not own a television set? If there was ever a time to watch TV, now is the time.

The reason I’m writing this article is because I’m constantly being told to watch “this” show and how I really need to watch “that” show. The only defense I have is to tell people is that I just don’t have time, I’m watching way too many shows as it is. Just to give you an idea, here’s what I’m currently watching as it premiers every week (not even including sports):

Now comes my defense: Keep in mind that most of these shows don’t all air during the same time of year, they’re split up which is why I’m allowed to watch them all. Now, a lot of those programs are top-notch, other’s are sitcoms or silly shows I can talk with my friends about and laugh at, and some are just guilty pleasures. I’ve been watching THE REAL WORLD since I was 12, I’m not stopping now. I don’t really have an excuse for JERSEY SHORE.

Some shows are just there because of the time slot. HOUSE OF LIES, for example, makes the list because it’s wedged in there between SHAMELESS and CALIFORNICATION on Showtime. And I have an unhealthy relationship with anything Kristen Bell. She’s perfect.

Back to the point, I just don’t have time for more great scripted dramas like MAD MEN, BREAKING BAD and BOARDWALK EMPIRE. I wish I did, because apparently they’re great.

Think about this: Television has reached a point to where it no longer has a place for HOUSE, which was highly reviewed as one of the great character and medical dramas of the last ten years.

Another thing to point out is that the best shows are no longer on network television. Aside from sitcoms (which are endangered animals at this point), the best shows are on Showtime, HBO, FX, AMC, and TNT. You could make a point that the last great drama (aside from House) on network television was ER. When ER walked off into the sunset, network drama’s died.

Television is where it’s at. Who knows, maybe I’ll get a chance to check out some of these shows on DVD. We’ve all done those marathon viewings on a weekend before. Until then, though, I’m content with the shows I have now.